‘America’s Gone Mad’: Disbelief in Ayrshire, Scotland, Near Trump’s Golf Course

THE GUARDIAN: While some say Trump has done much for Turnberry’s economy, others claim election result is ‘a disaster – he’s a fascist’

A screenshot taken from this article in today’s Guardian: Donald Trump attends the opening of his Turnberry golf course in 2016. Photograph: Murdo MacLeod/The Guardian
The sun is pressing through the low grey clouds above Turnberry beach in Ayrshire where Alan Ringrose is walking his dog. He shakes his head at the emerging news from across the Atlantic.

“I think America’s gone mad,” he says. “How can you elect a criminal as president?”

Disbelief is his overriding emotion as the reality of a second Trump presidency sinks in. “I don’t get it. Perhaps people were afraid to elect a black woman?” » | Libby Brooks, Scotland correspondent | Thursday, November 7 , 2024

I can’t say that I am shocked by yesterday’s election result. Donald Trump is a coarse, vulgar, unrefined man who appeals to a large section of American voters. Trump’s re-election tells us exactly who the Americans are. Be under no illusions! The Americans of today are not the Americans of yesteryear. The Americans who fought in the Second World War were a different breed. Just take a look at a picture of Americans in the 30s and 40s and compare that picture with one taken today.

In voting for Trump, American voters have played fast and loose with their Constitution, fast and loose with their freedoms, and fast and loose with their future. Unfortunately, they have played fast and loose with our future, too. Americans who voted for Trump will deserve all they get; we won’t.

I already see dark clouds on the horizon. We had better prepare ourselves for the worst. – © Mark Alexander

Alex Salmond, Former First Minister of Scotland, Dies Aged 69

THE GUARDIAN: High-profile politician reported to have collapsed after delivering speech in North Macedonia on Saturday

Alex Salmond, the former first minister of Scotland who led Scotland to the brink of independence, has died at the age of 69.

Salmond served as first minister of Scotland from 2007. He stood down from the role after failing to secure independence in the 2014 referendum, handing over to his deputy, Nicola Sturgeon.

Reports suggested that he collapsed after delivering a speech in North Macedonia on Saturday.

Scotland’s first minister, John Swinney, said he was “deeply shocked and saddened”.

“Alex worked tirelessly and fought fearlessly for the country that he loved and for her independence. He took the Scottish National party from the fringes of Scottish politics into government and led Scotland so close to becoming an independent country.” » | Michael Savage and Libby Brooks | Saturday, October 12, 2024

A Look Back... David Cameron: Palace ‘Displeasure’ at Former PM - BBC News

Sep 19, 2019 | Buckingham Palace has expressed displeasure after the former Prime Minister David Cameron revealed that he sought the Queen's help during the Scottish independence referendum campaign. In a BBC documentary, Mr Cameron said that in 2014 he had asked if the Queen could intervene because he was concerned Scotland was going to vote for independence. The Queen later urged people to 'think very carefully' about the future.

Another former Conservative Prime Minister is also in the spotlight, as Sir John Major’s lawyers tell the Supreme Court that the current PM, Boris Johnson, was ‘dishonest’ about his reasons for suspending Parliament. Mr Johnson says progress is being made in Brexit talks with the EU.

BBC News at Ten’s coverage with Royal Correspondent Nicholas Witchell, Home Editor Mark Easton, and Europe Editor Katya Adler.

Islamist Hate Cleric 'Refugee' Raises Millions to Set Up Islamic 'Homeland' on Scottish Isle

Jul 29, 2024 | Yasser al-Habib came to Britain as a refugee and has since vowed to undermine British values and install a sharia homeland within our territory.

Read a related article here.

Islamic Hate Preacher's Audacious Bid to Turn Scottish Island into 'Sharia' State Raises £3m

SCOTTISH DAILY EXPRESS: Sheikh Yasser al-Habib wants to purchase the isle of Torsa off Scotland's west coast - but he'll need to get past the Women's Institute first!

Sheikh Yasser al-Habib wants to turn the island of Torsa into his own Islamic state (Image: Wikicommons)
An Islamic hate preacher said to have his own 'army' has launched an audacious bid to buy a Scottish island and turn it into his own state based on Sharia law. Sheikh Yasser al-Habib has raised £3 million to purchase the isle of Torsa, located off the west coast of Argyll and Bute.

He is said to be in 'advanced talks' to buy the land. The 45-year-old claimed asylum in the UK 20 years ago and runs military-style training camps for an 'army' group called Al-Shurta Al-Khamis.

He plans to build a school, hospital and mosque on the island which will be run on strict Muslim laws. A video sent to supporters shows the cleric saying he will negotiate with the UK Government and invite Muslims from "all over the world" to Torsa which will become their "homeland". » | Douglas Dickie, Content editor | Sunday, July 28, 2024

Whiskey, Rum, Wine, Bars | 60 Minutes Full Episodes

Jul 13, 2024 | From 2015, Bob Simon’s visit to the Scottish island of Islay to look at its many famous whiskey distilleries. From 2017, Sharyn Alfonsi’s report on the feud behind the two versions of Havana Club Rum. From 2008, Morley Safer’s profile of a family that has been in the wine business for 600 years. From 2022, Lesley Stahl’s story on the effects of climate change taking root in the wine industry. From 2023, Alfonsi’s look at how Georgian monks preserve their centuries-old winemaking techniques while researchers restore ancient grape varieties. From 2009, Safer’s investigation of the anti-aging properties of red wine. And also from 2022, Jon Wertheim’s report on the future of English pubs after their decline from the COVID-19 pandemic.

SNP Minister Wants Plan for Conversion Practices Ban to Send ‘Strong Message’

THE GUARDIAN: Emma Roddick says she wants LGBTQ+ people to know that Scottish government is ‘still with them’ as consultation begins

Plans to introduce a ban on conversion practices in Scotland should send “a strong message” to LGBTQ+ people that “the Scottish government is still with them”, according to Holyrood’s equalities minister.

Emma Roddick was speaking to the Guardian after launching a public consultation on the proposed ban on practices that aim to change or suppress a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity. » | Libby Brooks, Scotland correspondent | Wednesday, January 10, 2024

Parents Who Refuse Children Gender Change Face Seven Years in Jail in Scotland

THE TELEGRAPH: SNP outlines proposal to ban 'conversion therapy' after its self-ID law was blocked by UK Government

Parents who refuse to allow their children to change gender would face up to seven years in jail under SNP plans to ban “conversion therapy”.

Proposals published on Tuesday state that actions designed to “change or suppress” another individual’s gender identity, causing them physical or psychological harm, would become illegal under the radical law.

SNP ministers acknowledged that so-called conversion practices often took place in a “family setting”, raising the prospect that parents could be criminalised if they refuse to go along with their child’s declaration that they are transgender.

Stopping someone from “dressing in a way that reflects their sexual orientation or gender identity” was put forward as an example of an action that would become illegal, even if a parent believed they were acting in a child’s best interests. » | Daniel Sanderson, Scottish Correspondent | Tuesday, January 9, 2024

This is absurd. The Scottish government must have taken leave of its senses. – © Mark Alexander

The UK, by Denying Scotland to Leave the Voluntary Union Treaty, Is Breaking International Law

Jan 8, 2024

In Full: Scotland's First Minister Humza Yousaf Condemns Israel

Oct 14, 2023 | Scotland's First Minister Humza Yousaf has said "collective punishment has to be condemned" after speaking of how his mother-in-law is "trapped" in Gaza.

Related videos here.

SNP backs Humza Yousaf's Scottish independence plan: SNP delegates have backed Humza Yousaf's plan to use the next general election result to push for a second independence referendum. / An amended version of the strategy was voted through overwhelmingly at the party's annual conference in Aberdeen. / It is based on winning a majority of Scottish seats, at least 29. »

Humza Yousaf’s wife says Israeli ‘terror’ has left family ‘waiting to die’: Nadia El-Nakla tells SNP conference she feels ‘complete despair’ and fears ‘Gaza will no longer exist’ after ground offensive / Humza Yousaf’s wife has accused Israel of “terrorising” Gaza, saying that every inhabitant including her family was “waiting to die”. / In a surprise speech at the SNP conference in Aberdeen, Nadia El-Nakla said her relatives in Gaza City were being forced to say goodbye to each other “like it’s the last time” ahead of the planned Israeli ground offensive. / She said ice cream trucks were being used to store the dead and her brother, a doctor, can no longer treat the injured as he had run out of medical supplies. Mr Yousaf embraced his wife after her speech, then wiped away tears. »

Scotland’s First Minister Feels ‘Helpless’ Watching His In-laws Trapped in Gaza

Oct 14, 2023 | Scotland’s First Minister Humza Yousaf sought to comfort the family of a Scot who died in the Hamas attacks – hugging the mother of Bernard Cowen at a service for him. His own family is caught up in the conflict – his wife’s parents trapped in Gaza after travelling there last week to visit a sick relative. They’ve made an emotional plea for help.

Related videos here, here and here.

PORTRAIT de Humza Yousaf en français :

Humza Yousaf, un premier ministre écossais fier de sa double culture : A 38 ans, cet homme d’origine pakistanaise est le premier dirigeant musulman d’une nation occidentale. Un parcours qui fait sa force au moment où il doit à la fois redresser l’Ecosse et sa formation politique, le parti indépendantiste SNP. » | (Article réservé aux abonnés)

Scottish First Minister ‘Disappointed’ the PM Hasn’t Reached Out as His Family Are Trapped in Gaza

Oct 13, 2023 | Scotland’s First Minister Humza Yousaf tells 5 News it’s “disappointing” that Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has not reached out to him after revealing his wife's parents, who live in Dundee, are trapped in Gaza and are struggling to find a safe passage out. 5 News Scotland Reporter Alan Jenkins reports.

Scotland First Minister's Family Stuck in Gaza

Oct 9, 2023 | "My wife and I are sick with worry about whether or not my in-laws will survive." First Minister of Scotland Humza Yousaf says his parents-in-law, who are stuck in Gaza amid the Israeli–Palestinian conflict, may suffer unjustified "collective punishment".

‘Seismic Night in Scotland’: Labour Crushes SNP in Rutherglen and Hamilton West Byelection

GUARDIAN EUROPE: Michael Shanks wins contest Labour considered a crucial test of apparent turnaround of its fortunes in Scotland

Scottish Labour’s Michael Shanks has won the Rutherglen and Hamilton West byelection in an overwhelming victory over the SNP that his party leadership declared “seismic”, and a clear demonstration that Scotland could lead the way in delivering a Labour government at Westminster at the coming general election.

In a result that exceeded Scottish Labour expectation, Shanks beat his closest rival, the SNP’s Katy Loudon, by 17,845 votes to 8,399 – a majority of 9,446 and a resounding swing of more than 20 percentage points.

The result marked a “seismic night in Scotland”, and proved that “Scottish politics has fundamentally changed”, said the Scottish Labour leader, Anas Sarwar. Voters were sending “a very clear message that they are sick of two tired, failing, incompetent governments”, he added. (with video) » | Libby Brooks and Severin Carrell | Friday, October 6, 2023

What Labour’s Rutherglen victory means for SNP and UK politics: Party’s victory may point to a change in Scottish political alignments that spells danger for Humza Yousaf »

Independent Scotland Would Bring Back Burgundy Passports

THE TELEGRAPH: Report says separate Scotland would follow EU’s ‘recommended layout, size and colour’, despite warnings it could take years to join

Humza Yousaf launches a policy paper on citizenship in an independent Scotland | CREDIT: Andrew Milligan/PA
Scotland would revert to burgundy passports after independence in an effort to copy the EU under a blueprint unveiled by Humza Yousaf.

A Scottish Government report said a separate Scotland would follow the EU’s “recommended layout, size and colour”, despite experts warning that it could take years for it to join the bloc.

Asked why he wanted to ditch blue passports, with blue the dominant colour on the Scottish flag, Mr Yousaf claimed a switch to burgundy red could help a separate Scotland gain speedier EU membership.

The blueprint said the passports would also follow the bloc’s “standards and technical requirements”.

The First Minister also said he would renounce his British citizenship despite the paper making clear that Scots could keep it after independence if they wished. People could also opt out of having Scottish citizenship.

Asked whether he would retain his British citizenship, he said: “I haven’t thought much about it but I probably wouldn’t, no, just my Scottish citizenship.” » | Simon Johnson, Scottish Political Editor | Thursday, July 27, 2023

Independent Scotland would base citizenship on current Irish model: Plans, unveiled by Humza Yousaf, include significantly reducing application fees »

Scotland’s Return to the EU

King Charles III: Thousands on Edinburgh's Royal Mile for Thanksgiving Celebration

Read the article here.

Scottish minister leads protest at King Charles coronation event: Partick Harvie, co-leader of Scottish Greens, addresses protesters as Charles is presented with Scotland’s medieval crown jewels / A ceremony in Edinburgh marking King Charles III’s coronation has been targeted by politically significant republican protests led by a Scottish government minister. »

Nicola Sturgeon: Scotland's Former Leader Released Without Charge after Arrest - BBC News

Jun 11, 2023 | Scotland's former first minister Nicola Sturgeon has been released without charge pending further investigations after being arrested by police on Sunday. Sturgeon was arrested in connection with the ongoing investigation into Scottish National Party funding and finances. After being questioned by detectives the former first minister was released from custody on Sunday.

Related articles.

Nicola Sturgeon, ancienne première ministre écossaise, a passé sept heures en garde à vue dans le cadre d’une enquête sur le financement de son parti : Ce placement en garde à vue, qui a duré sept heures, fait suite à d’autres interpellations de dirigeants du SNP, le Parti national écossais. »

Nicola Sturgeon Arrested in SNP Finances Inquiry

THE GUARDIAN: Former Scottish first minister interviewed as part of Police Scotland inquiry into claims SNP misspent £600,000 of donations

Nicola Sturgeon has been arrested by police investigating allegations of financial misconduct by the Scottish National party.

Sturgeon, who quit as first minister and SNP leader in early April, is the third person to be arrested as part of Operation Branchform, the Police Scotland investigation into allegations that more than £600,000 in donations for an independence campaign was misspent by the party. » | Severin Carrell and Libby Brooks | Sunday, June 11, 2023

Schottlands frühere Regierungschefin Sturgeon festgenommen: Die ehemalige schottische Regierungschefin Nicolas Sturgeon wurde im Zusammenhang mit den laufenden Ermittlungen zur Finanzierung der Scottish National Party festgenommen. Bereits in der vergangenen Woche durchsuchten Beamte ihre Wohnung. »

Scotland’s Ruling SNP Picks Humza Yousaf to Succeed Sturgeon